Senate agrees to pass Epstein files bill after near-unanimous House vote | First Thing

A significant clash has emerged between banks and the cryptocurrency sector over a Senate measure that would allow stablecoin holders to receive reward payments. This debate is central to ongoing efforts to secure bipartisan support for a crucial cryptocurrency market bill, which is currently under consideration by the Senate Banking Committee.

The Senate has backed a resolution that allows President Donald Trump to continue military actions in Venezuela without prior congressional notification, following a tie-breaking vote by Senator J.D. Vance. This resolution defeats efforts to limit the president's war powers regarding Venezuela, where tensions have escalated significantly.

Senator Chris Murphy expressed his belief in a correlation between President Trump's declining approval ratings and his increasingly authoritarian behavior, highlighting concerns over the implications of such trends for American democracy.

President Donald Trump has announced plans to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, a move that may face significant legal challenges. This announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between federal and local authorities regarding immigration policies.

The Senate voted to block a resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump's ability to use military force in Venezuela, following a shift in support from two Republican senators. This decision allows Trump to continue military operations without congressional oversight, reflecting a significant political maneuvering within the Senate.

Senate Republicans utilized a rarely invoked procedure to defeat a bipartisan resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's military authority over Venezuela, despite earlier indications of support for such measures. This decision reflects a significant shift in the political landscape regarding U.S. military involvement in Venezuela.

A recent Senate hearing featured a contentious exchange between Republican senators, including Hawley and Moody, and an Atlanta OB-GYN regarding the question of whether men can get pregnant. This debate has since gone viral on social media, highlighting the ongoing discussions surrounding gender and reproductive rights.

The House of Representatives passed a two-bill spending package on Wednesday, securing funding for the Treasury and State departments with a significant bipartisan vote of 341-79. This legislative action aims to prevent a government shutdown at the end of the month, showcasing cooperation among lawmakers from both parties.